Mayor Campbell stands with the community following devastating bushfire

The Carrai East bushfire has claimed one life and destroyed more than 50 homes, over 1000 residents were evacuated as firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control since November 8.

This trying situation has once again highlighted the compassion and generosity of the Macleay Community with hundreds of food and household items being donated to the Kempsey Evacuation Centre and locals opening their homes to families who have lost everything.

And through it all Kempsey Shire mayor Liz Campbell has stood with the community and supported locals through this difficult time.

"I got to the evacuation centre at 8am on the Saturday morning (November 9) and have been on the move ever since," mayor Campbell said.

"Being in a leadership role, and as another human being who loves their community, it's hard seeing the trauma in peoples' eyes and the exhaustion, not only in their eyes but physically."

Mayor Campbell said listening to the community over the past couple of weeks has been her main role so that she can ensure locals affected by the fire can get the help they need.

"I've just really been trying to be there for the community," she said.

"Since that Saturday morning I've been doing everything from making decisions, to talking to people, listening to people, finding out what their needs were and connecting people. It's been a difficult time for the community and just being there for people is sometimes what they need.

"I've seen some incredible bravery. You hear the stories of the people that have gotten out or the firefighters that have come here and the generosity of the people that we have here, we've always known that but to see it is incredible."

The mayor has spent countless hours over the past few weeks being a shoulder to lean on for many residents who have been directly impacted by the fires.

"Their stories do affect you, because you take on a little bit of that story and you take on their concern and you get it multiple times.

"I've stood there with people and have seen their houses that are now a crumbled mess and when you physically see it, it's a sensory overload and it's very emotional."

The road to recovery for the Macleay is a long one, but mayor Campbell said council will be there to support the community.

"You just really want to be able to change the situation or make it better. I'm just trying to make every day better in some small way," mayor Campbell said.

"I knew the community would rise to help people who had been affected and we've still got a long way to go and I know there will be more people stepping up to help those who have been impacted by the fires as the recovery period begins.

"I do know that I really needed to be with the people as they went through this, and continue to go through the recovery. Firstly and importantly for supporting and caring but also by knowing the people and their stories I am much better informed to understand what is needed when it comes to making decisions and influencing the people that make decisions towards recovery for the Macleay."

At this stage firefighters are still working on controlling the fire, but mayor Campbell said there will be a time where the community will have the chance to get together and thank the brave men and women who were fighting the blaze on the ground and in the air.

"At some stage there will be a time to thank the firefighters, but at this stage we are still fighting the fire. We won't let the time go without saying a big thank you to the RFS and the people who have gotten us through this.

"I am determined that we will come out of this with as many positives as we possibly can as we rebuild and recover from the Carrai East fire."

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